Investors have been betting on a technology rebound, and the Dell results could indicate that they may be right, said Paul Mendelsohn, chief investment strategist at Windham Financial Services in Charlotte, Vermont.

If technology is coming back, it would indicate there might be more strength among the consumer than analysts believe.

A clearer picture of the consumer's health may emerge after U.S. personal income and spending data for July is released at 8:30 a.m. EDT. The Reuters/University of Michigan final August consumer sentiment index is due at 9:55 a.m. EDT.

Crude oil futures gained nearly 1 percent after data showed the British economy shrank less than expected in the second quarter, following on a smaller-than-forecast drop in U.S. gross domestic product.

U.S. stocks closed higher on Thursday as investors turned back an early selloff, thanks to a rebound in oil prices and an 8.4 percent jump in Boeing Co shares.